Automatic spittoon



IlNiTEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GRANVILLE M. EDWARDS, OF GRAY, MAINE, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM F. LOVEJOY, OF SAME PLACE, AND OBADlAH WHITTIER, OF VIENNA,

MAIN E.

AUTOMATIC SPITTOON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 238,769, dated March 15, 1881,

Application filed December 9, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GRANVILLE M. ED- WARDS, of the town of Gray, State of Maine, have invented an Automatic Spittoon, ofwhich the following is a specification. v

This invention relates to an improvement whereby a spittoon maybe concealed in a suitable case or receptacle, and when required for use may, by the pressure of the foot, be swung into view, and when released from such pressure will be automatically returned to such concealed position; and theinveurion will, in connection with the annexed drawings, be hereinafter fully described, and specifically defined in the appended claims.

My invention is shown in the drawings as arranged in a portable case; but it may be arranged in such manner or in any other manner that will render it most convenient for use.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows the spittoon and the actuating device in plan, the case being shown with the top removed, and the spring-containing end being shown in horizontal section taken on line W X, Fig.2. Fig. 2 is a vertical section as taken through the case on line Y Z, Fig. 1, the bell-crank levers, the rack, and the actuating-springs being shown in elevation, the spittoon and the supportingroll being shown in elevation by dotted lines.

In these views, A represents the bottom of the case, and B the top or cover. 0 is the chambered end, in which is placed certain of the operative parts to be described; andD is the opposite end, the sides of the case between said ends being open to allow the lateral vibration of the supporting-arm, upon which the spittoon is supported.

A metal plate, a, having a series of teeth, 0, upon its inner edge, is seated upon the bottom A, and within the groove 70 formed in the lower edge of end 0, as shown. Two vertical studs, 1) b, are formed upon or secured to plate a, and between said studs is confined a partially-compressed coiled spring, (I, in the respective ends of which are secured the plugs c c, the heads of which bear against stops 1) of plate a, and also serve as the thrust-abutment for the ends of said spring. Said plugs 0, when in their normal position, as shown in said figure, are also in contact with abutments formed in said end 0, which prevent their following the movement of studs I) when the same are moved, as will be described.

Two bell-crank levers, H H, are suspended upon pivots h h, within enlarged chambers in end 0, in connection with groove 70. The lever-arms i of said levers respectively engage the ends of the toothed plate a, as shown, and the arms j extend outward to form a convenient bearing for the action of the foot, as will be referred to.

The spittoon G is removably secured in the free end of arm E, which arm is supported by truck F, pivoted to said arm, near its center, as shown, and it is pivoted upon studf, while its segment of teeth 9 engage the teeth in plate a, as shown in Fig. 2.

The practical operation of my invention is as follows: By depressing armsj of either of the levers H the arm t'is forced inward, taking with it plate a, which, by its toothed engagement with arm E, will vibrate the same upon its pivot f, and'thereby swing spittoon G out of the case so as to be accessible for use. When plate a is so actuated by either bell-crank lever the stud b at the opposite end moves free from the plug 0 by reason of said plugs being in contact with stops formed in ends (I, as before stated, and as shown. Hence said spring does not, as an entirety, follow plate a, but is compressed by the stud b, adjacent to the actuated bell-crank, to the extent of the movement of plate a, and when such actuated bell-crankis released the spring, by its reacting force, will return the spittoon to the central position shown in Fig. 1.

The combination of two bell-crank levers with plate a, and the spittoon arranged to be swung out of the case on either side, is for use where it may be needed in either position, as when placed beneath reversible car-seats; but when used in pews of churches, or similar positions, the devices would be so arranged that the supporting-truck F would be swung out only upon one side.

I claim as my invention- 1. A spittoon mounted upon a supportingarm within a concealing-case, and arranged to be swung without such case and automatically returned therein, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the toothed and piv- 1), spring d, with its abutting plugs 0, arranged oted supporting-arm E, toothed plate a, spring to bear against studs 1), and the stops in end 10 d, and a lever or levers, H, for actuating said O, and a lever or levers, H, to actuate plate a, plate, all substantially as specified. all substantially as specified.

3. The combination of spittoon G, lever E, GRANVILLE M. EDWARDS. truck F, plate a, spring d, and a lever or levers, Witnesses:

H, all substantially as specified. SEWALL O. STROUT,

4. The combination of plate a, with its studs FERM. H. LOVEJOY. 

